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(WASHINGTON) - Representative Filemon Vela, Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Subcommittee, led a letter to Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Senate Minority Whip Durbin following reports of ongoing border security negotiations with the White House. The letter urges Senate leaders to consider the environmental impacts of the proposed border wall before reaching any final decision on border wall funding. The Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Representative Bennie Thompson, and the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Representative Raul Grijalva, joined in sending the letter.

“Protected lands, like the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, must be preserved for future generations,” said Rep. Vela (D-TX). “The reckless border wall, designed to satisfy a nationalist agenda, and little else, will have damaging impacts on the ecosystems and wildlife of the border and on its accessibility. As leadership continues to negotiate provisions that will have a lasting impact on border security, they must not forget the border wall’s impact on Texas’ ecosystems and on its people.

Ranking Member Thompson added, "It is imperative that Congressional leaders consider the impact of border wall construction on the environment and wildlife. Any border security decisions made today could damage precious ecosystems along the Southwest border for generations. President Trump's border wall would be a completely unnecessary boondoggle and our environment should not be sacrificed for it."

“The border wall is not a bargaining chip, it’s a catastrophe. Anyone who bases their immigration policy on destroying entire ecosystems has no idea how the world works. The American people have lost their patience with President Trump’s ridiculous demands and lack of basic policy knowledge. This border wall fantasy is unpopular. It’s time for it to end,” said Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ).